The European Commission has entered exploratory discussions with the Australian government about association to Horizon Europe.
These non-binding, technical discussions will enable the two to explore the practical, legal and financial details of a possible association of Australia to pillar II of Horizon Europe. This pillar focuses on addressing global challenges and boosting industrial competitiveness across sectors such as digital technologies, health and renewable energy.
‘Horizon Europe drives breakthroughs at a scale nobody can achieve alone,’ said Ekaterine Zaharieva, European commissioner for research and innovation, in a release published by the European Commission on 10 September. ‘Association would enable Australia to take part directly in that effort and contribute its scientific excellence to global challenges.’
According to the commission, productive research collaboration between Australia and the EU dates back almost three decades – the first treaty-level science and technology agreement signed by the EU with an industrialised country was the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation, signed with Australia in 1994.
If the discussions are successful, association to Horizon Europe would allow Australian researchers to receive funding directly from the programme and to lead projects. Australia would also contribute financially to the programme.
To date, 20 non-EU countries with a strong science, innovation and technology profile are associated with Horizon Europe including New Zealand, South Korea and Canada. Egypt’s negotiations to join the programme ‘successfully concluded’ earlier this year and an agreement is expected to be formally signed in November.
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